Measuring apparatus



Aug. 4, 1931. A. E. YOUNG 1,816,949

MEASURING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 DEEEEIIBEEJE WITNESS INVENTOR Aug. 4, 1931. A. E. YOUNG MEASURING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WITNESS Patented Aug. 4, 1931 PATENT OFFICE ARCHER E. YOUNGL 'OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA msunme APPARATUS Application filed Narch 25, 1929. Serial No. 349,639.

I My invention relates to apparatus for aggregating through prolonged intervals of time the value of a. variable. I shall show and describe the invention in a plication to the measurement of gas, and t en indicate its wider applicability.

In the accompanying drawings view in vertical section of gas-measuring apparatus built and operating according to my mvention; Fig. II is a fragmentary view, showing in side elevation a portion of the same a paratus; Fig. III is a fragmentary view 'showin in end elevation the apparatus shown in ig. II; Fig. IV is a fragmentary view to larger scale, on substantially.

the plane indicated at IVIV, Fig. II.

A cylinder 1 mounted for rotation mayby knowninstrumentalities be caused to rotate in synchronism with a positive meter-a meter, that is to say, which makes direct volumetric measurement of gas in advance from a place of supply tda place of consumption.

In such case, each revolution of the cylinder will be indicative of the advance of a given "volume of gas. The cylinder may be geared directly to a tally 2, and the "apparatus may be so adjusted that the tally shall afford direct reading of thecubic feet of gas passed by the meter.

In the arrangement thus far described no rovision is made for variability in the ensity of the gas measured; and, while I find it desirable to include in my apparatus the means described for the direct volumetric measurement of gas,"I associate with these other means of measurement, in which correction is made for variability in the pressure and correspondingly in the density 0 the gas measured.

A ivoted arm 3 of relatively reatlength may by known instrumentalities caused to swing in response to variation in the pressure of the gas as it is measured, so that the articular position of the arm 3 will always he indicative of the extant condition of pressure. A block 4 movable along suitable ways in a. course parallel with and adjacent to the surface of cylinder 1 may be movable in a slot in crank arm 3 also, to the end that the particular position of block 4 along the face I is a of cylinder 1 shall be indicative of the extant condition of pressure of the gas being measured. The particular structure shown in Fig. IV is advantageous. The block 4 takes the form of a cylindrical pin on which are freely and independently rotatable two rollers 41 and 42; one of these rollers moves in a slot in a bar 5 which extends longitudinally adjacent the face of cylinder 1; the other roller moves in a slot in crank arm 3.

Block 4 carries insulated within its bore a conductor which ends in an elastic terminal 6, and this terminal bears upon the surface of cylinder 1. The surface of the cylinder,

elsewhere of insulating material, carries a faceplate 7 of conducting material which part ally covers it. This face plate may, for example, be formed as a met-allization of a portion of the surface of the cylinder. The face plate 7 is of such shape and proportions that its circumferential extent varies from point to point longitudinally of the cylinder, to the end that as the cylinder rotates the terminal 6 shall bear upon the face plate throughout an arc of greater or less extent, according to the position of block 4 along bar 5. As the pressure increases, it may be understood that block 4 moves from right to left (Figs. I and II), and as the block so moves to the left its period of contact with plate 7 during each rotation of the cylinder will be prolonged. The surface 7 may be so proportioned as to afford correction for variation in the condition of pressure under which the gas is measured, in accord with Boyles law. Indeed, more accurate correction may be made than computation under Boyles law can afford; for as pressure increases an appreciable factor of inaccuracy appears in computation under Boyles law, and b modification in the shape of the surface that factor of inaccuracy may be' eliminated.

A circuit is closed when terminal 6 bears upon surface 7, and when the terminal passes from surface 7 and bears upon the otherwise insulating surface of cylinder 1 that circuit is broken again. So long as the circuit is closed, rotation of cylinder 1 effects the drive of a tally meter 8, and such being the case, 7

tally meter 8 may be made to aflord summaminal 6 and surface 7. So long as the cirtion of gas measured, with correction for cuitis closed gear wheel 9'will turn in unison, variations in pressure. Temperature'is the with cylinder 1. When the circuit is open only remaining factor. in the measurement the tally, including gear wheel 9, will stand of gas for which correction is not afforded in at rest. Should the friction of parts be the operation of my apparatus, and the infound insufficient to hold the tally at rest accuracy due to temperature variation may while the circuit is broken, it is within combe disregarded, or correction for temperature" mon engineering knowledge to add to the variation may in known manner be comtally a brakeadequate to effect that end. puted. i A source of electric energy. is diagram- The preferred, means for driving tally 8 matically indicated at 13,-andthe line wires from'cylinder 1 while the electric circuit is for energizing the electro-magnets at 14.

completed through terminal 6 and face plate The provision of the constantly driven 7 are'illustrated in' Figs. I and IIL Gear tally 2, in addition to the intermittently wheel 9, the first of the gear wheels which .driven tally 8, is not necessary. Its presmake up the tally 8 is mounted idly upon the ence, however, may be found convenient and ,axle of cylinder 1 and is arranged adjacent useful, particularly underconditions of unithe end of cylinder 1. Gear. wheel 9 carrles formly continuing pressure, the two tallys integrally a clutch member, conveniently a being checks one upon the other. concentrically arranged friction drum '91. It manifestly is possible to mount the arms Cylinder 1 carries a complementary clutch 10 and their electro-magnets 11 upon a memmember. This cylinder-borne clutch member ber separate from cylinder 1 but rotating 1n conveniently takes the form f a mov unison with cylinder 1; and, such separation arm or arms extending beyond e en f' being made, the circuit which operates the the cylinder, and movable-to and'from frlcelectro-magnets may be a relay circuit, de-

tional engagement with drum 91. The arms rivedfrom the circuit made and broken by may be made of flexible material, and electrothe rotation of cylinder 1. Cylinder 1 then magnets may be provided to swing the arms being mounted adjacent the positive meter, agalnst spring tenslon. Thus the arms may the'tally 8 may be situated at a convenient so be caused to assume n or no er of heir and remote point, so that the attendant is I alternate posit onsin espon e t he e erg not .under the necessity of visiting. the posiing and de-energizlng of the electro-magne stive meter in order-to obtain his readings- An adequate arrangement is shown in the at least, his readings of tally 8 alone. drawings. The cylinder 1 carriestwo arms I h Shown d d ib d my i 85 10 arranged at diametrically opposit PO ition in specific application to gas measuretions. These arms 10 are flexible; they are 1-, Th 1 1 1; 4 moves l t din ll of anchored to the yl d r, each a the constantly rotating cylinder 1, and makes etpomts remote from e end of y intermittent contact with the surface 7 upon and at their free ends y are mollahle in the the cylinder; the circumferential extent of direction radial to the axis of rotation. Norsurface 7 varies f i t t i t th h; melly y extend it fa of u 91 out the length of the cylinder; and the tally and stand spaced a a hg Interval from 8 aflords summation of the value of the cirthe face. of th mcumferential extent of the surface 7 at the The cylinder 1 carries one, 01 more l tr point or points at which block 4 stands in the 4 m g r p g g 111 number t0 the course of a given interval of time. Wherever and Placed adlacehtly the armssummation is to be made of the value of a Normally the arms 10 stand remote, free of i bl th h given i t rval of time, Contact With the face of d Q but h that variable being susceptible of expression the electro-magnets llare energized the arms i th ition of a, block movable along a M are drawn against spring tension into contact guideway, th apparatus d ib d i 94)-, v

with the drum; and when the electro-magnets 1i 1 v are, de energized the arms return again under Vention,

spring tension to their normal position out I claim as my m of contact with the surface of the druni. In apparatus for aggregatmg the Value 55 The details of structure indicated in the of'a Vanable durmg success'lve Intervals of drawings are preferable. The arms10,othtime a rotating i and a rotatable erwise magnetically inert, carry applied member, a rotation-lmpartlng member borne blocks 12"of magnetic material (soft iron) y said .mtating member movable suitably placed with respect to .the electrodlauy wlth respect to the axls of total-Ion magnets. The meeting faces of drum 91 to and from rotation-imparting engagement and of arms 10 are covered with rubber or i t h i member,means for moving equivalent 'friction-aflording material. By S pe ng hhh t0 S such particular provisions the 'gear wheel geg andmamtemmg It 111 h ng ge- 9 may be made delicately respon iv t th ment during a greater or less fraction of a making and breaking of contact between tercomplete rotation of said rotating member,

according to the value of the variable during successive periods of rotation.

2. In apgaratus for aggregating the value of a variab e during a prolonged interval of time, a rotating cyhnder and a tally including a rotatable member mounted coaxially with said rotating cylinder, an I arm borne peripherally by sald cylinder and extending from said cylinder and movable radially wit respect to the axis of rotation of said cylinder to engagement with said rotatable member, and means for swingin said arm to engagement with said rotata 1e member and or maintaining it in such enga ement during a greater or less fraction 0 a rotation of said cylinder, according to the value of the variable during successive periods of rotation.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, v

. ARCHER E. YOUNG. 

